Nudibranchs are such little creatures that no one really wants to have in the garden. So here are 7 tips on how to fight slugs.
Nudibranchs nibble on almost everything
Nudibranchs not only look unappetizing, they also tamper with our plants without any scruples. The No. 1 enemy is the "Spanish slug", which is displacing our native slug species from year to year. Any kind of lettuce, melon and pumpkin plants, but also small perennial plants, flower petals such as marigolds and the like are preferred. At the same time, the slugs leave behind unmistakable slime trails during their garden raids, which many gardeners find extremely disgusting.
Like all pulmonary snails, these are hermaphrodites and can reproduce rapidly, especially in warm, humid weather. Since the slime of the Spanish slug is particularly bitter, this slug is usually ignored by natural enemies such as toads or hedgehogs. Runner ducks and other domestic ducks, on the other hand, like to eat.
However, since not all of us can keep ducks in our garden, other means have to be found to get rid of the plague. Try the tips below. You can use these to fight snails in the garden.
Fighting slugs - 7 tips
Tip 1 - Slug pellets:
The spreading of poisonous slug pellets is described as an effective method. However, this measure is not recommended if you have pets - e.g. dogs, cats, etc. who may come into contact with the grain. Because then there is a risk of death for the animals! Or small children are in the garden and reach for this poisonous snail control agent!
Important note:
If you don't want to do without slug pellets, then pay attention to the packaging information Slug pellets based on iron III phosphateor slug grain iron compound. This active ingredient occurs in nature and is therefore harmless to both the garden soil and all animals. However, this does not affect the effectiveness against the snails. For example, this slug grain product from Neudorff is recommended.
Hint2 - Beer Mug:
The use of beer mugs is completely natural and without harmful substances. The greedy slugs are immediately attracted by the smell of beer and drown trying to empty the well-filled mug.
For this purpose, e.g. rinse out the yoghurt cup, put it well into the ground and fill 3/4 with beer. Many garden owners swear by the use of tart pilsner.
Our favourite! Tip 3 - Snail Plate & Snail Fence:
In the meantime, special snail fences or snail barriers are available in specialist shops, which can be set up all around the beds. Not only do they keep snails from getting into the bed, the sheet metal version can also be used to limit the bed.
The snail sheet is simply inserted into each other and then into the ground. That actually looks pretty good, at least I think so.
Galvanized screw plate
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Snail tray moss green
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Snail Fence with Copper Tape
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The snail fence is made of copper tape. Also a metal that snails don't like at all. They avoid contact with it and therefore avoid your bed. In my opinion, both variants are very effective and also environmentally friendly, since no snails are killed.
Tip 4 - keeping ducks/chickens:
In a large garden you can also use ornamental ducks and bantams against snails. These animals see the slugs as food and thus ensure their disappearance. At the same time, chickens are still laying fresh eggs, resulting in a double benefit! With ducks, on the other hand, there is an increased risk that they will also eat a salad from time to time!
Tip 5 - Sawdust:
But it also helps if you spread dry, coarse sawdust directly in the bed. Slugs don't like the rough granules and usually leave the beds in a hurry.
Tip 6 - Lime:
If the respective garden plants tolerate it, you can spread a thin layer of lime in the beds from time to time. Because lime attacks the slugs underside. The snails in the garden will then disappear in no time.
Tip 7 - Collect snails:
Of course you can also collect the unwelcome slugs by hand. Then put it in a bucket of water (mixed with cleaning agent) and dispose of it after a certain time -can smell quite sensitive!
You can support the collection of slugs by providing bait. A salad drink is suitable for this. A few slugs often collect on this very quickly, which you can then easily collect.
Another method I like to use: Scatter large rhubarb leaves around the bed. Because of their size, they cover a large area of soil, which keeps it moist and dark. A popular retreat for snails escaping the sun during the day! All you have to do is lift the leaves and you can easily collect the slugs underneath.
NEW: Tip 8 - Schnexagon
The Schnexagon product, known from the Vox show "Lion's Den", is brand new on the market. It was developed by Nadine Sydow from Kiel, who does not want to poison the animals, but simply wants to prevent them from reaching the well-groomed vegetable patch. To do this, she developed an ecologically sound protective coating that removes the adhesive effect of the snail slime:
The protective coating can be applied to any type of barrier and is durable there for a long time. It doesn't matter whether this protective barrier is made of wood, metal, plastic or glass. Simply spread the Schnexagon, which will soon become colorless, and snails will no longer cling!